Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Mourinho Set for June Departure


Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has decided to leave his position at the club on June 30, according reports in the Spanish media.

According to AS, Spanish journalist Siro Lopez last night broke the news on Punto Pelota, a weekly football programme, claiming he had been given the information by a member of Mourinho's inner circle.

"Mourinho has had enough," the paper says. "According to Siro the Real coach has radically changed in recent days and has decided to leave.

"Siro received a call during the programme and reported that Mourinho has tired of press opposition which is relentless."

Other media outlets suggest that the pressure put on Mourinho following last week's defeat to Barcelona together with the suggestion that there are growing rifts between him and Iker Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has insisted he is "not bothered" by some of his own fans whistling and booing him during last night's win against Athletic Bilbao.

"I'm not bothered by the whistles at me," he said after the 4-1 win. "It's not a problem. It's the first time it's ever happened to me. There's a first time for practically everything. (Zinedine) Zidane was whistled at here.

"Ronaldo has been whistled at here. Cristiano (Ronaldo), who is the latest Golden Boot winner, has also been whistled at. Why can't I?

"Zidane responded with his football, the same as Ronaldo and Cristiano. I work hard to be able to respond like they did some day, but there may come a day when the fans are sad.

"There have been no problems this week. I lost a match on Wednesday (Copa del Rey first leg against Barcelona), but I was already thinking about tonight's game on Friday.

"We played and won. That's it."